[FEATURED IN WATTPAD INDIA PROFILE]
❝Pioneering the art of constructing love, my Kanmani.❞
Xavier teased her skin, slowly caressing her cheeks and her lips trembled.
❝You don't dare!❞
And he kissed her.
------
When he had compromised his dreams and...
♬ but when you smile for me, world seems all right... yeh meri zindagi, pal mein hi khil jaaye, jaane kyun!
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"Hmm... Your skin feels like silk... I could just—"
"—seph?"
Xavier's line of lewd thoughts was abruptly cut off when he noticed one of the board members looking at him expectantly, clearly waiting for his opinion on the matter being discussed.
He glanced at the presentation. "I think implementing this new enhancement to our combustion chamber would benefit our clients. Our research shows it could save them nine percent on fuel." He spun a pen between his fingers. "Customer satisfaction is the priority right now."
Yes, satisfaction indeed...
A lofty woman across the table pursed her lips. "But Mr. Joseph, I think you're underestimating the cost here. You're passionate about the project, but that doesn't justify splurging on something this risky." She looked around the table, hoping for agreement from the others. "I don't think we should be taking chances, especially if the profits could be minimal."
"Taking risks is exactly what made Xhasis what it is today," Xavier replied coldly, his face unreadable.
Someone cleared their throat. "What Mr. Joseph means is, this is a worthwhile risk, even if the profits aren't immediate. We should consider it as an improvement for our new engine models," Satya interjected, casting Xavier a sharp look. "Isn't that right, Mr. Joseph?"
After another half hour of debate, everyone finally agreed to move forward with the proposal. Meetings with investors were always a struggle, especially with those who didn't understand the intricacies of his work and only cared about the business side.
Well, it's all about the business in the end.
He retreated to his office, his only sanctuary. If there was a place where Xavier felt complete, it was here. The room was filled with whiteboards covered in his chaotic sketches, computers loaded with engine models, and desks piled with project files. He loved his work, and loved how his vision had become a reality.
He shrugged off his coat and closed his eyes, feeling a deep satisfaction in all he'd achieved, knowing the heartbreak he'd endured hadn't been in vain.
The steady click of heels alerted him to Satya's approach, but he didn't acknowledge her presence. It was funny how much she reminded him of Subhadra—strong-willed, independent, stubborn. The only difference was that Satya had never left him alone.
He knew she cared about him, more than most would in a mere friendship. But Satya didn't give two cents about anyone's judgment, and she'd always been his pillar. He still hadn't thanked Alisha for introducing him to Satya, the one woman who truly believed in him.
"You should take lessons on communication skills, especially after what you did with Mrs. Mehta!" she scolded, slapping his arm. "Don't pretend to ignore me."
He opened his eyes to see her pacing across his office, looking furious as she turned off the privacy setting on his cabin glass.
"If you're going to punch something, punch me," he said, pointing to his crumpled coat on the floor. "No need to take it out on my expensive Armani."
Her fists clenched, and for a moment, he thought she might actually take him up on it. Instead, she stood still, radiating frustration. "We risk losing investors when you speak like that," she said, emphasizing each word.
"Then maybe she should do some research before spewing garbage," he said, standing and offering her his seat.
Declining, she shook her head in exasperation. "Xavier, not everyone's a University of Michigan grad who sees things like you do." She sighed. "This is business, something we've both worked damn hard to build." She ran her fingers through her hair. "I hate it when you treat it like this. You've been off for days... something's clearly bothering you."
His jaw clenched. For nearly three weeks, a very curvy woman had bewitched his thoughts, her touch, her lips haunting him. He couldn't shake the memory of her skin against his, her mouth against his. Whoever the "little witch" was, she'd cast a spell on him he couldn't break.
Those lips were...
"Is something bothering you?" Satya's question snapped him out of his reverie. "Is this about your last meeting with Subhadra?" she asked, concern filling her gaze.
He couldn't believe how his life had come to this: his first love breaking him inside out, a dear friend shielding him, and a stranger—a seductive siren—stirring his every hidden desire.
With a faint smile, he raised a brow. "You need to stop protecting me. I'm a grown man."
"Says the man who cries like a baby," she said, her voice softening.
She walked over and took his hand in hers. "You deserve everything, Xavier." She gently ran her thumb over his knuckles. "I may not know everything about your past, but I know for sure that your future holds the kind of love most people can only imagine."
Her dark eyes shone with warmth, and he couldn't help but pull her into a hug. She patted his back slowly while he rejoiced to be a kid in front of her.
"Are you sure you're not the one who loves me?" he teased, his eyes glinting with playful mischief. Swatting his arms she wrinkled her nose in disgust. He couldn't hold back himself and laughed aloud.
Satya Devi was the one constant in his life, a maternal figure who stood by him like the mother he'd lost so long ago.
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Do tell me what you feel about this and the upcoming chapters, always open to positive criticism.
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